Conroe man urges others to quit smoking

Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, August 2, 2008

When Edward Makovy took his first drag of a cigarette 45 years ago, he had no idea he would be sitting in a hospital gown, hooked to an intravenous drip, and missing two-thirds of a lung.

Purple and red blotches now cover Makovy’s body, and he dreams of the days when his breath came easily. For the past 12 years he’s battled lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis and pneumonia, all caused, he said, for the love of cigarettes.

Makovy was 15 years old when he picked up a cigarette and took his first puff, just like actors did in the movies. Over the years, a couple of cigarettes among friends developed into a habit that consumed three to four packs of cigarettes a day.

He smoked before work, at work, after work and maybe even more when he had a drink. Makovy became so addicted to cigarettes that he still smoked after battling lung cancer in 1995.

In 1999, following a panic attack, Makovy yearned for just one more cigarette before the ambulance arrived - even though he could barely breathe.

“When I arrived back at the hospital, the pulmonary doctor told me, ‘You’re in deep (expletive) this time,’” Makovy said.

Now in the hospital and being treated for two types of bacterial pneumonia, Makovy wants young people to hear his story and think twice before they begin smoking.

“This is the end result,” Makovy said, pointing at himself. “One cigarette doesn’t hurt and 10 don’t either, but, after a couple more you become hooked.”

He overcame lung cancer, but Makovy can’t defeat his emphysema, which he said only gets worse and never better.

In addition to the physical pain, the health problems have financially drained Makovy and his wife. He left the work force at age 52 because of his health.

“I’m not saying that everyone who smokes will end up just as I did, but it’s a chance you are taking,” Makovy said. “It’s like 10 people running across the freeway and making it but the 11th one getting hit.”

Makovy hopes to make a video for junior high and high school students to deter them from smoking. He is also actively involved in the local advocacy group Breath Free Conroe.